Survey of birds of prey migration patterns, Lista wind farm (Agder, Norway), 2011-2013

Study Extent

Lista wind farm, Agder, Norway. 2011-2013.

Sampling

Field instructions for observing birds of prey migration at Lista wind farm. Observation equipment: Binoculars/telescope, tripod, compass, clock, pencil, registration form, map sheet for marking migration routes. The observation session: The observation session starts from the time the observer is ready with binoculars at the observation point, and ends when the observer stops observing and leaves the observation point. Observations must be carried out in daylight and under good weather conditions where birds of prey migration can be expected to occur and where visibility conditions make it possible to observe these. Practical implementation: The observation session must focus on bird of prey migration, which means that observations of other birds must not be prioritized over birds of prey. It is particularly important to get the most complete observations possible of the species that have the most numerous migrations, such as sparrow hawks, buzzards, mountain buzzards and kestrels, therefore prioritize observations of these species if several species are observed in the same period of time. The rationale for this is that it is most likely to be able to find scientifically significant effects on the most common species, where the data material is larger. Registrations in an observation session: At the observation point, the observer must make the following registrations using binoculars, telescope, compass and clock, and enter these into the observation form: 1. Weather conditions, including wind direction and strength, temperature, precipitation and visibility. The observer can here make his own estimates without the use of measuring instruments. 2. The time stamp of observation. 3. Species and number of individuals. Gender and age if possible. 4. General migration behavior (flock or singular migrations, directionality, utilization of thermals, etc) 5. Migration area, migration height, direction and speed. Outline this in a map using the same method as NOF-LL, 2004. 6. Specific behavior near turbines, avoidance, collisions and the like.

Method steps

1. 1. Start observation session (note weather etc) 2. Mark observed migration routes on map 3. End observation session 4. Digitalize the data

All birds of prey within sight of the observation points were identified. No other type of birds where included.

1. Animalia
   common name: animals rank: kingdom
2. Cordata
   common name: chordates rank: phylum
3. Vertebrata
   common name: vertebrates rank: subphylum
4. Aves
   common name: birds rank: class

Data is recorded within visual range from two observation points within Lista wind farm (Floråsen and Gråfjell), as well as one reference area (Høgheii).